The Osceola times., 1887-09-24
MEMORIAL DAY.

was the third and last DAY OF thc So"''
tutional centennial celebration. IL was
s.Memorial Day." A mere charming day
would be hard 70 imagine. II was typr
cal September day, clear, cool aud Drill
liant.
On the stand in Independence square
tbers we're represented every branch and
condition Of life which goes TO make up
nation, Side by side were the chief magis-
trate. the highest eccles iastical represen'
tatives, the justices of the highest law
tribunal, the ministers extraordinary OF
foreign powers,- the Nations law-maksrs
and representatives Of the army and navy
and oil other departments OF civil, mlf
tary and religious life. The stand in In.
dependence square in the rear Of the OLD
historic hall had seating capacity OF
about ten thousand, and was filed early
by holders OF tickets, which were
necessary to gain admission. AL ths
front OF the stand facing
south an inclosurs was raisd
off for the President, his party, the speak
srs and others. At the front and sus-
pended SO as to be in full view, hung
Photographic copy of the original Consti.
tuition. At the east side Of the stand stood
the quaint old high-back chair occupied
by George Washington as the presiding
officer Of the Congress which adopted that
honored and venerated do cument. Sus
pended from the back of the chair was
another copy OF the Nations charter.
At half past ten O'Clock the gigantic
chorus of two thousand children, with
two hundred men ss leading voices, sang
patriotic air which brought them rounds
Of applause.
One Of the first of the distinguished
guests to arrive was the venerable Han
nibal Hamlin. Just as the bell at the top
of Independence Hall marked the hour
of eleven the children's chorus sent up
thrse rousing cheers as their tribute OF
love and veneration for the historic build
ing.
At q quarter past eleven O'Clock the ap-
pearance Of the President and his wife at
the head Of q double column OF distin.
guished visitors created q perfect uproar
of applause. As they came down the CEN
ter aisle toward their places in front, the
President leaned on the arm Of exMinis.
ter Kasson, and directly behind them
came Mrs. Cleveland, leaning on the arm
of Thomas NJ. Thompson, chairman OF the
committee on reception of the distn.
gushed guests. Next came Secretary
Daniel Lamont and wife and
Fairchild. After the President
and Mrs. Cleveland had reached the
stand a general hand-shaking with those
whom they recognized, or were recognized
by, took place, after which, in response to
The tumuituous applause Of the multitude,
B l. 81 al StI a. htru al IN ha yQi i'll.
ing of the structure and bowed their nc.
knowledgment of the compliments. II
seemed as though the cheering would new.
or die out. The earth almost trembled as
thousands Of throats were yelled hoarse.
At Has q. m., after all had reached the
stand. Bishop Potter arose and, being fol-
lowed by all those who occupied the re
served space with uncovered heads, made
the opening prayer. reading from manu-
script In the great noise and din it was
an impossibility for even those near him
to distinguish a single word.
Just after the Bishop Lad concluded his
prayer Lieutenant General Philip H.
Sheridan with his aides, followed closely
by Cardinal Gibbons. Archbishop Ryan
and number of Catholic clergy, marched
down the aisle, cheered to the echo. Wher
they had been seated, Hon. John A. Kas.
son, as president of the Constitutional
Centennial Commission, assumed HE
place, and, after a hymn had been rem
dered by the chorus, arose to make the in
troductory address Of the day. After
hearty round of applause he spoke al
length, his remarks being punctuated
with many demonstrations Of apprecia
tion.
Cardinal Gibbons, wearing the cardinal
c, lors Of his exalted office, sat ut the side
of the speakers and was one of the most
att entive listeners Of the entire assem-.
blage.
At the conclusion Of Mr.. Kasson's ad
dress, the chorus sang "Appeal to Truth
(by Schiller. Mendelssohn with beautiful
effect.
At the conclusion of the song ex.
Minister Kasson escorted the President tc
the speakers rostrun. and at IL :55 he
commenced ten-minutes' address, which
was received with thunderous applause,
His enunciation was clear and perfect,
and his voice rang out audibly to the
thousands Of ears.
Before the echo of his words had died
away there was cheering which was
deafening. While the applause was still
going on the chorus broke into patriot
ic air, and the din was terrific. As far as
the eye could reach there was one solid
seething, surging mass Of humanity, and
when their throats opened in unison thoy
filed the air and made an inspiring scene,
When quiet once more reigned, Just
tice Samuel +. Miller, Of the United
States Supreme Court,appeared, and step.
ping quickly to the front OF the stand and
facing the assembled dgnitaries, began
the delivery Of his memorial Grafton.
At 1.40 President Kasson, one Of the
commission, gently took the arm Of Car
dinal Gibbons, who, with the glittering
sun pouring down upon his cardinals
vestments and the red hat so lately placed
upon bis head by the venerable Leo KILL.
looked his best and was the recipient OF
much attention. After walking to the
front OF the stand and paying his respects
to the thousands Of people who surged In
and around the square, with bow he
turned and, facing the President and
within hearing Of all who occupied seats
around the circle, offered a prayer to the
Almighty. He was listened to with the
closest possible attention, and upon the
conclusion Of the prayer the sweet strains
of the "Star Spangled Banner" broke upon
the crowd in volumes from the voices OF
the grand chorus, accompanied by the
Marine band.
An impressive benediction was then
pronounced by the Rev. Jere Witherspoon,
of Nashville, Tenn, this being the only
alteration made in the programme as al,
ranged some time ago.